Leo Byrne
NK NEWS
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Past articles by Leo:
Talks with North Korea not happening in September: Pompeo
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday that negotiations with North Korea will not happen by the end of this month, a tentative date for the resumption of talks suggested by Pyongyang. Speaking at a press conference in New York where the U.S. diplomat is attending the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Pompeo also declined → Read More
Moon says third Trump – Kim summit will be a “great moment”
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday said he hoped a third summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would be a “great moment” in history. Moon made the comments prior to a bilateral meeting with his U.S. counterpart on the sidelines of the 2019 UN General Assembly (UNGA) → Read More
Relations with N. Korea "the best thing" to come from White House tenure: Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that his relationship with Pyongyang was “the best thing” to come from his tenure in the White House. Speaking to reporters during a meeting with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison in the Oval Office, Trump touted his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “I think the → Read More
Trump says conditions "not ready" for another visit to North Korea
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said conditions were not ready for another trip to the North Korean capital, following recent reports he had been invited by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un. Speaking to reporters on the White House south lawn, the U.S. President indicated that the odds of another visit to Pyongyang in the → Read More
U.S. designates three North Korean hacking groups
The U.S. Department of Treasury on Friday issued new designations against three North Korean entities involved in hacking and cyber theft. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted the Lazarus Group, Bluenoroff, Andariel for their wide-ranging cyber crimes and their relationship the previously sanctioned Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB). “Treasury is taking action against… → Read More
Bolton's "Libyan model" comments on North Korea were a setback: Trump
Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton’s comments on using a “Libyan model” with North Korea were among the reasons for his dismissal, U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump also said that Bolton wasn’t getting along with others in the administration and wasn’t “in line with what → Read More
Trump fires John Bolton citing strong disagreements
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced he had fired National Security Advisor John Bolton, saying there were disagreements over Bolton’s “suggestions.” Bolton is often seen as hawkish within Washington and is typically thought of as a taking a hard line of foreign policy issues like North Korea and Iran. “I informed John Bolton last → Read More
North Korea launches two projectiles from South Pyongyang Province: JCS
North Korea on Tuesday morning KST fired two missiles into the East Sea from South Pyongan Province, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). “North Korea launched an unidentified projectile twice eastward from the inland area of South Pyongan Province today (September 10) morning,” the JCS said. “Our military is maintaining the readiness → Read More
North Korea has "sovereign right to defend itself": Pompeo
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday indicated that North Korea has the right to defend itself, though added that nuclear weapons make the DPRK less secure. Speaking on U.S. radio show KCMO, the secretary of state continued Washington’s positive messaging on negotiations with North Korea and reiterated U.S. commitment to diplomatic engagement. “Those → Read More
OFAC designates Taiwanese nationals, entities and tanker for DPRK oil exports
The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday issued new designations against two Taiwanese nationals, three Taiwanese companies, and one oil tanker, for supplying oil to North Korea in breach of UN resolutions. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Taiwan-based entities Jui Pang Shipping and Jui Zong Ship Management, as well as Hong Kong-based → Read More
Washington "concerned" about North Korea's missile tests: Esper
Washington’s new Defence Secretary Mark Esper on Wednesday said North Korea’s recent missile tests are a concern, though added that the U.S. would not overreact to launches. Speaking at a Department of Defense press conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford, Esper said that a political agreement is the “best” way → Read More
UK, France, Germany issue UNSC statement condemning North Korean launches
Three members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) issued a statement condemning North Korea’s recent spate of missile launches on Tuesday, following a closed-door meeting of the UN group. The UK, France and Germany called on Pyongyang to return to negotiations and said the North’s recent launches were violations of UNSC resolutions. According to the Associated → Read More
North Korea launches two short-range ballistic missiles: JCS
North Korea is presumed to have fired two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) off its eastern coast in South Hamgyong province Saturday morning, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. The JCS earlier in the day said the North had launched “unidentified projectiles twice” in the vicinity of Sondok in South Hamgyong Province. “Our military today → Read More
North Korea hasn't returned to talks as quickly as hoped: Pompeo
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday said Pyongyang had not returned to negotiations as quickly as Washington had hoped, though added he expected the road to the DPRK’s denuclearization to be “bumpy.” Pompeo’s comments come as Washington’s point man on North Korea Stephen Biegeun arrived in South Korea earlier on Tuesday with the → Read More
Trump says he received "beautiful" letter from Kim Jong Un
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said he received a “beautiful” letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in which Kim also expressed dissatisfaction with joint U.S. – ROK military exercises. Trump made the remarks during a 30-minute question and answer sessions on the White House south lawn, telling reporters Kim’s letter was hand-delivered → Read More
U.S. planning for North Korea negotiations in "a couple of weeks": Pompeo
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday appeared undeterred by North Korea’s recent spate of missile tests, indicating that negotiations with Pyongyang might resume in two weeks. Speaking to reporters at the State Department, Pompeo maintained Washington’s positive line on the prospect of negotiations with the DPRK. “We are hopeful that in the coming → Read More
Trump admits North Korean tests may violate UN resolutions
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday played down the significance of North Korea’s recent missile launches, though admitted the tests could be a violation of UN resolutions. Commenting via social media, Trump dismissed the significance of the DPRK’s recent tests for the second time in two days, continuing Washington’s stance that the ongoing tests would → Read More
Washington urges North Korea to refrain from further missile tests
Washington on Thursday urged North Korea to forego any further missile tests, following the launch of what may have been a new type of short-range ballistic missile the previous day. During a regular State Department press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said Washington wanted negotiations over the DPRK’s nuclear and missile programs back on → Read More
U.S. Senate confirms Mark Esper as new defense secretary
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Mark Esper as Washington’s Secretary of Defense, the first time someone has held the position since January. The Senate overwhelmingly voted for Esper gaining 90 supporting votes with eight opposing. Esper served as acting defense secretary prior to taking on the role, replacing Patrick Shanahan who resigned in June → Read More
U.S. Justice Department charges Ma, DHID for breaking North Korea sanctions
The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday charged a Chinese company along with its owner and managers for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and helping North Korea obtain materials for its weapons programs. The indictment was aimed at Ma Xiaohong, her company Dandong Hongxiang Industrial Development Co. Ltd. (DHID) and three managers, Zhou Jianshu, Hong → Read More